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Trans Mountain approval eases oilpatch angst, for now

The federal government gave a second approval to the twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline project. Still, many in the oilpatch are anxious to see pipes put in the ground considering the lengthy delays to the project.

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Fear of further delays persist, despite another endorsement from Ottawa

Hundreds of pipes are stacked at a storage yard for the Trans Mountain expansion project, near Hope, B.C. (Kyle Bakx/CBC)

After the Trans Mountain expansion project was approved the first time, Ray Zervini ordered extra inventory, hired more staff, and considered expanding store hours. Considering the sheer size of the multi-billion dollar project, he ramped up his business as the shop is listed as one of Trans Mountain's preferred suppliers in the area.

"There's just an enormous amount of opportunity for us to sell product for this project," said Zervini, president of Canyon Cable in Hope, B.C.

Of course, construction never did begin in earnest after the federal government first approved the project in 2016. Many of those supplies, like specialized welding rods, are collecting dust on store shelves and Zervini has had to adjust work schedules for his employees. Store hours were never extended.

Speaking before the second approval of the pipeline by the federal government Tuesday, Zervini said the delays have been frustrating. Like many in the oilpatch, he's anxious to see pipes put in the ground.

"We'll be ecstatic," said Zervini. "It's good for our business, it's good for our community of Hope and it's going to be good for the economy around here."

For an industry that's felt like it's been stuck in neutral, or worse, for several years now, Tuesday's news was welcomed as a step forward — even for those who still see a long journey ahead for the industry's recovery.

"The approval of the pipeline is a positive development," said David Yager, an energy industry consultant and a former chairman of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada.

"I just don't think people fully understand how deep the hole is that we're trying to dig our way out of. It's the first five rungs on a hundred-rung ladder."

There was concern — in the industry, at least — prior to Tuesday's announcement that Ottawa would bury the project with further regulations or kick the project down the road with further delays.

Instead, there's talk of getting shovels in the ground sometime this year. That seems like no small thing, even if it comes without a precise start date. Earlier this spring, the president of Trans Mountain Corporation said if the project got approval in May or June, there could be full crews working on the right of way this fall.

Proceeding with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project is viewed as important for Canada's oilpatch for a number of reasons.

For one, a lack of pipeline capacity has been a big issue for the sector for some time. Basically, oilsands production is growing but the pipes aren't getting any bigger.

Things came to a head last fall when a glut of oil — caused in part by pipeline bottlenecks — led to big discounts on Canadian crude. Beyond the impact on the industry, this also had an impact on provincial royalty revenues.

People with ties to the industry hope that Ottawa's approval project could at least signal better days ahead. Still, industry experts have cautioned that while the project is important, it's not a quick fix.

Kevin Birn, an analyst with IHS Markit, said while the project is being built, Western Canada will keep pumping more oil out of the ground than it can move to market by pipeline.

"We should continue to expect an increased role in the importance of crude by rail in the system as well, and probably a little bit of concern about the system as a whole in terms of the ability to get crude to market," Birn said.

Tsleil-Waututh Nation Chief Leah George-Wilson speaks at a press conference Tuesday. The Tsleil-Waututh Nation of North Vancouver, B.C., says it will once again appeal the approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. (Maggie MacPherson/CBC)

The most immediate impact of Tuesday's decision from an employment perspective may be construction jobs along the project's route. Once it begins, total construction time would be 30 to 36 months.

However, few people would anticipate it will be clear sailing from here.

The project has been met with strong resistance from the B.C. government, environmental groups and some Indigenous communities along the route. Among their concerns are the increased tanker traffic, pipeline leaks and climate change.

More protest and legal battles are expected, including the B.C. government's plans to appeal a recent court decision that effectively killed the province's attempt to impose laws that would stop the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

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